Jewish community to present SLO Israel Festival

Featured speaker Courtney Mellblom s a Jewish farmer and owner of Farmermaid.

–The JCC-Federation of SLO in partnership with Congregation Beth David will host the area’s first SLO Israel Festival, on Sunday, April 15, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth David, 10180 Los Osos Valley Rd, San Luis Obispo.

The SLO Israel Festival is a celebratory afternoon highlighting 70 years of Israel’s contributions to the world. The festival includes a Hummus and Baba Ghanoush Cook-Off that attendees will taste and vote on crowd favorites. There will be Israeli Dancing lessons, children’s crafts, Israeli Dodgeball (Gaga) Tournament, an Israeli Book Exhibit, and an Israeli movie/dinner night. The event will also feature speakers on Israeli water technology applied to local farming techniques, and on Israeli fellowship/internship programs.

Hummus and Baba Ghanoush Cook-Off
Come to taste and vote on your favorite Hummus and Baba Ghanoush recipes! Homemade and commercial participants will be invited to enter. Please go to www.jccslo.com/israel-festival to enter in the Hummus and Baba Ghanoush Cook-Off. Hummus and baba ghanoush tasting and voting will take place during the first half of the festival.

Israeli Dancing, Books, Crafts, and Dodgeball
Starting at 2 p.m. the SLO Israel Festival will feature an Israeli dancing demonstration by local Israeli dance leaders. There will also be a number of renowned Israeli books on display in the CBD library, and Israeli classroom crafts for our younger attendees to enjoy. From 3-3:45 p.m. our area teens will lead in an Israeli Dodgeball (Gaga) tournament in the playground’s Gaga court. Appropriate for ages 3 and up. Sign up and win a prize!

Featured Speakers
Courtney Mellblom: Courtney is a Jewish farmer and owner of Farmermaid, where she grows beautiful flowers. Courtney was educated in Sustainable Agriculture and Plant Biology at Cal Poly, and was certified in Permaculture Design in Israel. Courtney will speak on her experiences in Israel with Masa, an Israeli internship/fellowship/gap year program, as well as on Israel’s contributions to water and farming practices.

Ralph Johnson.

Ralph Johnson: Ralph of Jrjohnson Biodynamic Farms is a San Luis Obispo farmer who has been “planting by the moon” for more than thirty years. He was the first in San Luis Obispo to employ a drip irrigation system. He sells his biodynamically-sourced plants, seeds, and produce at farmer’s markets all over the county. He also co-hosts the Biodynamic Gardening Report, a local podcast and radio segment that gives the Central Coast weekly updates about how to bring biodynamic practices into their own gardens.

Courtney and Ralph will talk about water efficiency and Israel’s history in developing the technology from 3-3:30 p.m. From 3:45-4:15 p.m., Courtney will talk to interested youth and families about Masa, an Israeli gap year/internship/fellowship program.

Israeli Dinner and a Movie
After enjoying the afternoon fun, enjoy seeing “A Matter of Size”, winner of three Israeli Film Academy Awards.

This is the story of one man’s heartfelt fight to fit into an otherwise shrinking world. Exposed to the noble world of Sumo wrestling, Herzl is instantly drawn to a sport where large people are not only appreciated for their size, but honored and celebrated as true sporting heroes. Movie Showtime 4:30 p.m.- Dinner following the movie, sponsored by Petra.

The afternoon festivities are free. The dinner/movie portion is ticketed and requires advance registration. To register or find out more details, please visit www.jccslo.com/israel-festival or call the JCC-Federation at (805) 426-5465 or Congregation Beth David at (805) 544-0760.